PAPUA NEW GUINEA'S GOLD COAST RUGBY SEVENS INVASION
RUGBY 7S, October 27: Papua New Guinea has emerged as one of the hottest new forces in the Rugby Sevens arena and will have a strong presence at next month's Hyperion Gold Coast International Sevens - with no less than five teams.
Hot on the heels of a successful Commonwealth Games tournament in Delhi the Gold Coast will again be treated to an international Rugby Sevens extravaganza when the newest Olympic sport returns to Albert Park Surfers Paradise on November 13 and 14.
Tickets are now available for this year's tournament at http://www.goldcoastsevens.com/ for what promises to be the highlight of the rugby season on the Gold Coast and another major step towards making the Gold Coast the home of Sevens in Australia.
The Hyperion Gold Coast International Sevens will feature 20 men's teams and eight women's teams over two action packed days of non-stop Rugby Sevens action at Albert Park.
National teams from Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea and Niue will be joined by teams from Fiji and specialist teams from the UK, New Zealand and PNG as well as teams from Australia's Super 15 franchises.
Papua New Guinea Rugby Union will be represented in the men's tournament by its National team, PNG 7s as well as the PNG Southern Chiefs and the Pacific MMI Rebels who will be one of the first teams to arrive on the Coast - a team that will feature four members of PNG's Commonwealth Games squad.
PNG will also field the PNG Southern Chiefs and the PNG Defence Women's Rugby teams in the eight strong women's tournament.
"PNG is certainly among the big improvers on the Rugby Sevens circuit and the PNG National Team scared the life out of world champion Samoa at this year's Darwin Sevens," said tournament director and Australian Sevens Team Manager Luca Liussi.
"They were also not disgraced against Samoa or Kenya at the Commonwealth Games and certainly made a lot of people sit up and take notice with their skills and their spirited displays.
"They went on to win the Bowl Final at the Commonwealth Games, running up a big score against Canada and on their day can menace any team - they could be the surprise packets."
PNG has over 3,200 registered Sevens players and has recently won a place to contest the IRB World Series in Adelaide.
Liussi said the international component of this year's Hyperion Gold Coast International Sevens would ensure the best international rugby tournament to ever hit the Gold Coast.
The Australian Rugby Union will conduct a Sevens Coaching Clinic at The Southport School (TSS) on the Friday afternoon (November 12) before the tournament where Australia's National coach, dual international Michael O'Connor, along with past Australian 7s players will present to coaches.
"Coming off the success of last year's tournament and some of the hype created at the Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast fans are in for two days of serious 7s footy," Liussi said.
"They will also be treated to everything that Rugby Sevens represents and that's getting out and having a good time.
"There is the serious side of Rugby Sevens but there is also the party side and a combination of both is something Gold Coasters can certainly relate to.
"The ARU Coaching Clinic will provide the coaching community with a real opportunity to see the National squad going through their paces."
Other activities over the weekend will include:
- The World's Strongest Man contestant Warwick Brant
- Kids Zone: Jumping Castle and Slide
- Queensland Reds Pass-the-ball activity
- Live Music
- Champagne Bar
- Cheer Leaders
HYPERION GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL SEVENS TEAMS
MEN - Samoa 7s Samoa Rugby Football Union, Emerging New Zealand New Zealand Rugby Football Union, Aussie Spirit Australian Rugby Union, Arabian Gulf Barbarians Arabian Gulf Rugby Union, Niue Wanderers Niue Rugby Union, PNG 7s Papua New Guinea Rugby Union, Queensland Reds 7s Queensland Rugby Union, NSW Jr Waratah 7s New South Wales Rugby Union, Taranaki Academy New Zealand, South Sea Drifters Fiji, International Samurais UK / New Zealand, PNG Southern Chiefs Papua New Guinea, Davetalevu Fiji, Pacific MMI Rebels Papua New Guinea, Lloyd McDermott Australia, Gold Coast Breakers Australia, Sunnybank Australia, Australian Maoris Australia, Brisbane Nadro Navosa, Island Breeze Australia
WOMEN - Eastsyde Brisbane Australia, Samurai International Australia, PNG Southern Chiefs Papua New Guinea, Sunnybank Women's Australia, Gold Coast Academy Australia, PNG Defence Women's Rugby Papua New Guinea, Arongatahi Women's 7's New Zealand, Wests Women's Bulldogs Australia
TICKETING INFORMATION - SAVE MONEY AND TIME - BUY ONLINE!
Beat the queues and pay less by securing your tickets online http://www.goldcoastsevens.com/
HYPERION VIP LOUNGE: Enjoy the fast, exciting action of some of the world's best 7s teams in the comfort of the Club House area. Premium viewing, private bar area, substantial finger food, big screen TV with all the action of a two-day Rugby carnival. Tickets are limited!
Single Day: $65
Two-day pass: $110
Concession - Pensioners and Full Time Students (aged, TPI, War Service Widow)12 years and under FREE
Family: 2 adults, 2 juniors or 1 adult, 2 juniors
Dont Drive ... PARK AND RIDE...check website for service information (NB: Parking limited)
TICKETING PRICES
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1 Day Pass |
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Adult pre sale |
$15.00 |
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Adult |
$20.00 |
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Conc / Student Pre sale |
$10.00 |
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Concession / Student |
$15.00 |
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Child under 12 yrs |
Comp w/- paying adult |
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Pre sale Family (2A+2J) |
$40.00 |
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Family (2A+2J) |
$45.00 |
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2 Day Pass |
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Adult pre sale |
$30.00 |
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Adult |
$40.00 |
|
Conc / Student Pre sale |
$20.00 |
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Concession / Student |
$30.00 |
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Child under 12 yrs |
Comp w/- paying adult |
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Pre sale Family (2A+2J) |
$65.00 |
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Family (2A+2J) |
$75.00 |